New book explores Islamic Friday Prayer service

Commenting on his new book, “The Friday Prayer & The Two Celebrations Made Simple,” Imam Amin Nathari said, this is the first book in a series, making the practice of Islam simple for new converts to the religion and for older Believers still trying to acclimate themselves to the intricacies of their faith.

Imam Amin Nathari

“Since Jumu’ah is the most important day in the life of the Muslim,” he said, “it’s important that we are aware of how to receive the most benefit from that day.” Jumu’ah is the Friday congregational prayer service of Muslims.

In less than 100 pages, the book simplifies the Friday service, not the actual prayers during the service. Also included is information on two celebrations Eid ul Fitr, which occurs immediately after the month of fasting called Ramadan, and Eid ul Adha, which is the duty of sacrifice that occurs annually after Hajj or pilgrimage to Mecca.

This quick read has great relevance to cities like Philadelphia, with large Muslim populations, where the two Muslim holidays are going to be added to the public school calendar. It could help teachers and school administrators familiarize and become more accommodating to their Muslim students who are involved in the two annual celebrations.

“There are other books on Jumu’ah but I find that they are too complicated,” said Imam Nathari, during a phone interview from his home in Florida. “And part of the goal of this book, and this series of books, originating from a ‘Islam Made Simple’ series, is that we wanted to take these basic fundamental topics of Islam and deconstruct them.”

The inspiration for the book came after Imam Nathari’s meeting with Imam Warith Deen Mohammad, two months after the Imam attended the Nation of Islam’s 2000 Saviours’ Day Convention.

The book is dedicated to the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan, who Imam Nathari said was given the task, by his teacher, the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad, the eternal leader of the Nation of Islam, to find a way to unite with the Islamic world.

One of the many bright points of the book is encouraging the Believer to find a way to attend the weekly congregational prayer service.

“The establishment of the Friday Prayer, for the one upon who it is obligatory, should be intertwined with and included in the weekly schedule of activities. Whether one holds a traditional job or runs their own business, on Friday, attending the prayer (service) should be a standard on your ‘things to do’ list or calendar,” notes Imam Nathari in the book.

Displaying a dedicated Muslim way of life in the presence of non-Muslims, the book suggests, will open up opportunities where making Jumu’ah or the Friday pray service, even in a non-Muslim work environment, become an acceptable activity.

Imam Nathari, who grew up in the Nation of Islam, said, “The next book in the series, which is going to come out during Saviours’ Day 2018, will be ‘The Essentials of Ramadan Made Simple.’” The book series is ongoing and will address current Islamic topics as they manifest and become relevant, he explained. Imam Amin Nathari is founder of Islam In America Movement and serves as the executive director of Muslim Empowerment Institute.

For more information or to order the book, visit www.aminnathari.com or follow him on Twitter and Instagram at @aminnathari or Facebook at Amin Nathari.